Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has explained why he snubbed the Blues' travelling support after their 2-1 comeback against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
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Chelsea come back in 2-1 win vs FulhamMaresca booed by Chelsea fans at half-timeSnubs celebrations and heads down tunnelFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Maresca's Chelsea were run off the park by Fulham at Craven Cottage as Marco Silva's men dominated proceedings in the first half. After taking the lead in the 20th minute of the clash, Fulham defended well for almost the next hour of play before Chelsea mounted a comeback, with Tyrique George equalising in the 83rd minute before Pedro Neto scored the winner in the third minute of injury time.
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At half-time in the derby, Maresca was met with a barrage of abuse from Chelsea's travelling fans as they booed the Italian coach and also labelled him a 'w*nker' as he left the pitch. After the Blues' surprise comeback, the Italian tactician opted not to celebrate the win with the squad and the fans, and he has now revealed exactly why he did that.
WHAT MARESCA SAID
Speaking to the media, Maresa said: "I was very happy, first of all because it's a nice feeling to win the game at the end but I think it was a moment for the players because they deserve to share that moment with the fans. So this is the reason why I left the pitch immediately and then when we scored the second one I celebrated and this is the reason why they gave me a yellow card.
"But for sure I think it was a nice moment for the players and for the fans to share that moment, it's important and I said already many times, the players need to feel the support."
Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
It is starting to seem that Maresca is slowly losing the confidence of the fans as Chelsea's late-season struggles continue. However, the squad seems to be backing the Italian coach, and it is unlikely that he will be sacked as head coach of the Blues this summer.